Dry socket after an extraction
Dry socket is inflammation of the socket left by an extracted tooth, when the blood clot is missing or has come away. Here is how to recognise it, what to do until you reach the clinic, and what we do.
Call today. Dry socket does not clear up quickly on its own, and the pain can be hard to control with painkillers. Call us today: a dentist needs to clean and treat the extraction site.
What to do now
- Recognise the signs. The pain gets worse two to four days after the extraction instead of easing, and it may spread towards your ear or temple. Sometimes there is an unpleasant taste or bad breath.
- Ease the pain. You can take an anti-inflammatory or a painkiller from a pharmacy, following the patient leaflet.
- Rinse gently. Rinse gently with lukewarm salt water, letting it run out of your mouth rather than swishing hard.
- Chew on the other side. Eat soft, lukewarm food and chew on the side away from the extraction.
- Call us. Tell us when the extraction was done and how the pain has changed since. We will agree a time for you to come in.
What not to do
- Do not pick at or clean the extraction site yourself with a toothpick, your finger or cotton buds.
- Do not smoke or drink through a straw.
- Do not rinse with alcohol or other harsh solutions.
- Do not take leftover antibiotics you have at home; the dentist decides whether you need them.
- Do not put aspirin or other tablets directly into the extraction site.
When to come in
Call now if
- The pain gets worse from one day to the next and does not ease with your usual painkiller.
- You have a fever.
- Your cheek or gum is getting more and more swollen.
- You can see pus or taste it.
It can wait for an appointment if
- The pain is easing little by little each day.
- Your usual painkiller helps and you can sleep.
- You have no fever and no swelling that is getting bigger.
Call 112 or go to a hospital A&E (UPU) if the swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, if you have a high fever, or if the swelling spreads towards your eye or neck.
What we do at the clinic
The dentist examines the extraction site and cleans it carefully, with an anaesthetic if needed.
A soothing, protective dressing is then placed in the socket. The pain often eases after treatment, but you may need to come back to have the dressing changed.
The dentist tells you what to do at home and whether you need any medicine.
What it costs
Prices are in Romanian lei. The consultation is from 150 lei, and the anaesthetic is included. You learn the price of the treatment before we start. Outside opening hours the price may be higher; we tell you the amount on the phone, before you set off.
| Consultation | from 150 lei (≈ 28 €) |
The price covers everything: the anaesthetic is included, and you do not pay for the consultation if you have the treatment at the same visit. Outside opening hours the price may be higher; we tell you on the phone.
Questions
How do I know whether it is dry socket or normal pain after an extraction?
Normal pain eases from one day to the next. With dry socket, the pain gets worse after two to four days and painkillers help less and less. Only the dentist can tell you for sure, after looking at the extraction site.
Does dry socket go away on its own?
It sometimes heals with time, but the pain can last for days. Treatment at the clinic often helps to ease the pain.
My extraction was done somewhere else. Can I come to you?
Call us and tell us when the extraction was done and what you are feeling. We will tell you on the phone when you can come in.
Do I need antibiotics?
Not always. The dentist decides after seeing you; do not take leftover antibiotics you have at home.
The phone is answered 24/7.
Contact and map
Call about pain that cannot wait or to book a visit. We answer just as calmly either way.
How would you like to get in touch?
Bucharest, Sector 3 · the phone is answered 24/7
Sector 3, Bucharest
The clinic is on the ground floor, on Traian Popovici Street, between Calea Dudești and Bulevardul Mihai Bravu. From Piața Alba Iulia, take Bulevardul Decebal towards Calea Dudești; from Dristor, come down Bulevardul Mihai Bravu.
